Mastermind In Ksh2.85B Gold Scam Involving Malaysians Arrested In Court

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on Tuesday, February 27 arrested the main suspect in a Ksh2.85 billion gold scam investigation involving two Malaysian nationals.

In a statement on Wednesday, February 28, DCI revealed that the suspect, KMN, who was arrested on Tuesday by the Operations Support Unit (OSU) detectives was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts.

He was pounced on at the same court premises when he appeared for the hearing of yet another gold scam case in which he is out on bond.

OSU detectives have been pursuing the suspect since December 27, 2023, being the mastermind of the near-success gold scam deal orchestrated by an eight-member gang. 

"In the investigations, it was established that KMN was the tenant of the Lavington-based premises in which the gang operated from, having entered a tenancy agreement with the landlord to use the property as a residential house," stated DCI in part.

On the day when the deal involving 50kg of fake gold was to be sealed, detectives stormed the house where KMN's seven accomplices were rounded up but he managed to escape. They have since been arraigned.

Earlier this morning, he was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts before Judge Ondieki and charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and attempt to commit a felony.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was admitted to a bond of Ksh3 million or alternative cash bail of Ksh1 million. The matter will be mentioned on March 13, 2024, at the same court.

DCI on December 27, 2023, arrested several suspects connected to the scam and recovered multiple tools of trade involved in the failed fraud scheme.

Having received intelligence reports through the Kilimani Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer on the scamming deal planned against the two foreign men, the OSU deployed a surveillance team after the two Malaysian victims jetted into the country.

"Reportedly, the scammers using Rock Africa Minier company had contacted the complainants as of 19th October 2023 through a social media platform. The suspects had alleged to transact with them 500 kg of Gold at USD 19 million equivalent to Ksh2.85 billion," the DCI stated in part then.

In the deal, the complainants had already sent USD 6,350 (Ksh990,600) to members of the gang based in Cameroon who referred the two to their Kenyan accomplices.

The scammers were then trailed as they picked up the two foreigners from their hotel along Argwings Kodhek road in Kilimani using a Toyota Noah.

They were taken to an office in a private house along Mageta Road within Kileleshwa where the surveillance team followed closely before the main gate was shut locking them out. 

"As the sleuths stealthily gained entry into the compound, some suspects jumped over the fence at the back side of the compound, leading to a chase that saw 7 of them arrested including two escapees," DCI added.

Among the suspects arrested included two security guards working for a private security firm.